The damage spread instantly.
Like a curse.
Tiny Takeru and tiny Yuji were already sprinting around the playground collecting rocks with the intensity of professional treasure hunters.
"THIS ONE IS SHINY!"
"THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE A DINOSAUR!"
Teachers nearby were too confused to intervene anymore.
Meanwhile—
older Takeru crouched dramatically in the middle of the playground like a businessman preparing a dangerous deal.
"Alright tinies."
Both kids stopped immediately.
Takeru pointed seriously.
"Every rock you find that I like…"
A pause.
"I'll give you each 1000 yen."
The entire area went silent.
"One good rock equals 1000 yen for BOTH of you."
Tiny Yuji gasped so hard he nearly fell over.
"…WEALTH."
Tiny Takeru pointed at Takeru with complete admiration.
"…You're the coolest adult ever."
Wasuke immediately stepped in.
"No he isn't."
Too late.
The tiny duo had already vanished into the playground at mach speed searching for rocks.
Megumi stared blankly.
"…He created child labor."
Hakari pointed immediately.
"NAH THIS IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP."
Both Mei Mei's looked deeply impressed.
Young Mei Mei nodded approvingly.
"He understands incentive."
Older Mei Mei smiled lightly.
"…A promising financial mindset."
Then—
Takeru casually handed older Mei Mei another 1000 yen.
She blinked once.
"…What is this for?"
Takeru pointed at tiny Takeru proudly.
"He inherited your grindset."
Silence.
Then older Mei Mei laughed softly.
Actually laughed.
"…You know what?"
She accepted the money.
"I respect it."
Young Gojo was watching the tiny duo sprint around gathering rocks like their lives depended on it.
"…We've permanently altered their brains."
Yuji nodded.
"…Yeah they're gonna become goblins for shiny objects now."
Tiny Yuji suddenly returned at full speed carrying a giant weird-shaped rock.
"LOOK!"
Takeru examined it carefully.
Very seriously.
"…Hmm."
The entire group leaned in.
"…This one looks like Sukuna."
Sukuna looked offended instantly.
"…How."
"…Angry and weirdly shaped."
Hakari fell over laughing again.
Tiny Yuji proudly accepted his 1000 yen payment.
Then tiny Takeru returned dragging an even bigger rock.
"…This one looks cool."
Takeru stared at it.
Then slowly nodded.
"…This rock has aura."
Tiny Takeru gasped.
"…REALLY!?"
"Absolutely."
Another 1000 yen handed over.
The kids screamed happily and ran off again.
Nanami adjusted his glasses.
"…We are financially empowering kindergarteners."
Higuruma sighed.
"…And somehow this may still not be illegal."
Reina watched Takeru quietly from nearby.
Then shook her head slightly with a faint smile.
"…You spoil them fast."
Takeru shrugged casually.
"…Nobody spoiled us."
A small pause.
"So I can."
That made a few people go quiet for a second.
Even Sukuna looked at him briefly.
Then tiny Yuji returned holding a literal stick.
"…Can this be worth money?"
Takeru gasped dramatically.
"…That's not a stick."
Everyone braced themselves.
"…That's a wizard staff."
Tiny Yuji screamed in excitement.
And the playground descended into chaos once again.